New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-29
impusivc and capncious, but his speech has the
true English ring.
THE LEADERSHIP or STRIKES.

Judging from the results OF most strikes II
might lie thought that they were as rule un-
dcrtaken as blindy and with as little regard TO
the circumstances as before wOrkIngmcn had
any organization. In fact, the most surprising
thing in all these movements is the docility and
credulIty with which the men obey the com
mands Of leaders who have never done any
thing to Justify confidence IN them. great
strike. to have any chance of Success must be
undertaken in the most favorable conditions.
The very first thing TO bc cScertancd by the
leader Of such strike is tie state Of the labor
market lie should bo thoroughly Informed as
10 the unemployed and unorganizcd labor that
can lie availcd of TO defeat the strike. If he
finds on inquiry that this element exists in prac-
ticaly unlimited quantity. he must be very
foolish man TO proceed any further at thai
umc: for in snch case he must be certain that
n st,iko will not succeed. no matter what
equities are behind It.
It seems from the progress of the great strike
now under way that the leaders believe an in
definite extension of it TO lie the best policy.
They think that the Inconvenience caused to
the public by the paralysis Of commerce will
create such general indignation as must force
the employers TO yield. There is, however, no
soundncss in this view. The wider the strike
the bricfcr it must lie. The more 1T spreads
the greater will lie the number OF worklngmcn
who have ceased TO earn anything and whose
wives and children arc threatened with famine.
DO the labor leaders imagine that no pressure
will 10 brought TO bear against the strike from
his side 7 Again in the coal handlers strike
scores of separate industries are involved, and
whatever hits any one of these Injuries work
incmcn ten times a. much a employers. When
a mill or factory is forced TO cease woik Tor
want of coal it is not the owners who suffer
most il is The hands When retail dealers arc
enabled 70 put mp the price OF coal 1t Is not me
well-to-do who feel the pinch 1T Is the poor
While the former are getting their coal for some
seven dollars ton the latter are paying AT inc
rate of fifteen The longer the strike lasts anu
the further il extends the weaker must inc
strikers bccomc. And when. rs now, there IS
an unlimited supply OF unOFanzcd labor every
day of the strike must see the employers better
or and tbc strikers wore or hc ausc more oil
their place, viii have Gccn aiken by new minus
Tho blindness Of ,he obedience rendered 10
unsafe leaders was never better llusiia'ch 'ian
in the strike Of the men employer by MN u
steamship agents These men. II the s'r1lc SIC
occdcd, would actually lose 10y it, for they Wcie
mt in the absurd position Of demanding nc
duction OF their own wages. Yet they all went
ont the moment an irresponsible -bcach-dcic-
ra;c" gave the word, and they an staying ou''
although tLcy know that their places VIII pc
filed and that they will not bc taken on again.
The almost cntirn absence OF foresight ana cal
cnla,on in tho movements l. d'Shclrch-
ing 10 all who lclicvc in the cause oil hpor
II really looks rs though those who control
strikes did not care how much suffering 'h'N
caused. OF courso. too. every strike Which laiIS
tends TO sct back the whole labor movement
and 10 loascn the bonds Of organization. No
men can he expected 70 continue making such
sacrifices rs are demanded from the knights oil
Labor merely 10 initiate the vanity OF lew |
reckless Leaders Such cXl cricnccS - arc now |
being had might break up a much stronger or
panization, f0r every movement needs some
measure of success 10 give ii hope and energy |
for the future Discipline. moreover. canhot
hold out against binndcring leadership ana u
more prudence and caution arc not brought 10
l,,ar mon these strikes the patience oil tho
uorkincmcn, not TO slcak OF that OF the pup
he will soon bc worn out.